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Matthew 15:33
ESV And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?”
NIV His disciples answered, 'Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?'
NASB The disciples *said to Him, 'Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?'
CSB The disciples said to him, "Where could we get enough bread in this desolate place to feed such a crowd? "
NLT The disciples replied, 'Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?'
KJV And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

What does Matthew 15:33 mean?

Jesus has been preaching and healing people for three days in the region of the Decapolis. So much time has passed that He is filled with compassion for how hungry the people are. He does not want to send them away, saying He is afraid they will faint on their way back home. Jesus wants to feed the people (Matthew 15:29–32).

In a situation like the one depicted earlier in Matthew's writing (Matthew 14:13–21), the disciples give Jesus a similar response. In summary, the crowd is huge, the location is remote, they have no food and no reasonable way to obtain it. While there are differences from this event to the earlier miracle, in each Jesus seems eager for the disciples to see that what's impossible for them is no problem for Him.

It's entirely possible the disciples fully expect Jesus to use another divine intervention, but don't want to be the ones to suggest it. They won't have to wait long (Matthew 15:34–36).
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